EHR systems should comply with Indian EHR standards, be able to exchange data via common formats like XML and JSON, and structure their data based on international standards like ISO 13606 or map to CCD. All clinical content should be encoded using appropriate clinical coding systems like SNOMED CT, LOINC, and ICD to allow for interoperability and epidemiological reporting. Free text should be avoided for clinically relevant content.

1. A SHORT SRS FOR ACHIEVING
EHR INTEROPERABILITY
DR SB BHATTACHARYYA
MBBS, MBA, FCGP
MEMBER, IMA STANDING COMMITTEE ON IT, IMA HQRS
MEMBER, EHR STANDARDS COMMITTEE, MOH&FW, GOI
HONY. STATE SECRETARY (2015), IMA HARYANA
PRESIDENT (2010 – 2011), IAMI

2. ALL EHR SYSTEMS SHALL…
 Comply with all the provisions of EHR Standards of India
 Be able to exchange data using XML or JSON or HL7 2.x message strings
 Either model their data store on ISO 13606/openEHR information model or map
their record fields to CCD or to standard HL7 2.x messages (in decreasing order of
preference)
 Encode all their content using the most appropriate code system for the record
item
 SNOMED CT preferred for everything with suitable mappings to
 LOINC for posting orders to and receiving results from Investigations Information Systems (LIS, RIS, etc.)
 ICD for generating epidemiological reports, etc.
 Not contain any free text in clinically-relevant content
 Numerical data is not considered to be free text